You don’t always get to choose your roommates, and you might not be best friends with them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build some kind of bond. Planning an occasional roommate “date night” is a great way to get to know each other and make dealing with each other a lot easier.

When you barely know a roommate, every little thing that doesn’t go your way can be extra frustrating because you don’t feel comfortable broaching the subject. The only way to get on better terms with them is to spend some more time together so you get a better feel for how they operate. That’s why Caroline Biggs at Apartment Therapy suggests you schedule a couple hours every month as a “roomie-only” outing. Go somewhere fun for dinner, see a movie, grab some coffee, or just take a walk in an interesting neighborhood. If you show them that you want to be get to know them and become friends, they’ll likely reciprocate—and make your life a lot easier in the process.